Sunday, October 16, 2011

Traditional camping.

It’s our fourth year driving up north and camping for a few days at our favorite spot. I very much enjoy this tradition. It’s such a fun getaway. Away from computers, from emails, from Facebook (no, we’re not cool enough to have smart phones), away from all secondary responsibilities and just be a family. We always go with Nee Nee and Papa and this year we brought my younger sister and brother. Loads of fun. Too many s’mores. Lots of laughter.

I always say this but the beach could not be more perfect for children. The possibilities are endless and they are in their element. I love seeing them so excited. I love, love, love the beach.

This was quite the crabby beach. Big ones, small ones, some that will practically dig into your skin. Ah well. Just another “toy” to play with!

I am a fan of all kinds of camping. But with beach camping we are enjoying the surf and sand from sun up til sundown and the kids’ boredom is non existent.

I have also said this before as well but Nee Nee and Papa are the ultimate in-laws. I just don’t know what I did to deserve such amazing people in my life and my kids’ lives but I know it’s not always the norm. We love them!

Random couple at the beach who no doubt were waiting for our little “brood” to leave so they could have some serious alone time. But hey, let’s just pretend that’s the husband and I whispering sweet nothings into each other’s ears. It could be….right?

This, however is legit. The husband is an only son and he and his dad have a great relationship. It makes me so, so excited for this little boy and his father to have the same. Such great examples he will have!

Food tastes better when you camp. (Yes that is bacon, yes I hate bacon, no I don’t discriminate when I take picture of food, especially when men are cooking it.)

My siblings were so awesome. The girls’ had a blast hanging with their uncle as he took them deep into the water and let the tide splash around them. He built sand castles with them and indulged their active imaginations.

My sister was equally awesome. She offered to do things like brush Diva’s hair to save us all from the hellish screaming and torment that would have otherwise been mine (and all the other campers). It sounds so melodramatic but I kid you not I speak the truth. And I endure it every day of my life. And for reasons I can’t understand Diva saves the tortured freak outs for only me and does things like….smile when others untangle her locks.

But by golly I still love her.

We also keep the girls busy by telling them to sweep the dirt. Genius no?

She’s a mischievous little thing but I just can’t get enough of her!

Sunsets are the best part. Diva decided that the sun needed to know how to spell her sister’s name and proceeded to yell it out at the top of her lungs. I’m sure we ruined some romantic moments for other onlookers.

And now I mention the (mostly) not pictured:

Coons. Raccoons. Rummaging through our campsite the first night, opening the cooler and eating a dozen eggs. Shells and all.

Coons. Raccoons. Coming into our TENT. In the middle of the night. Three of them, searching for who knows what. Being closest to the door (there was a separate partition) I had the lovely task of shooing them out. The little buggers. Apparently they can weasel their way into the tiniest of openings. Beware. My sister asked why I didn’t scream. I don’t know. I just freakin wanted them out so I could get some dang sleep!

Skunks. Non smelly ones thankfully.

A whale. Yup! We saw it a few times in the distance, slowly coming up for air and whapping it’s huge tail. It was pretty cool.

Dozens of dolphins, some of which put on a body surfing show. The show offs.

3 comments:

Okay, you HAVE to find that picture of Casey eating a huge strawberry (at least I think that's what it was) But Maya could be his twin in that picture of her with the ring pop. Anyways, so jealous you guys get to do this every year. Maybe one year we can join you.